Big Ten report: Huskers defense worthy of 'blackshirts'

Wednesday

Oct 31, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 2, 2012 at 4:11 AM

Bo Pelini was a free safety in his playing days and one of Ohio State's team captains as a senior in 1990. As a player and, now, a head coach, sound, physical defense has been his specialty. So when Pelini's Cornhuskers surrendered 498 yards - 371 on the ground - to Ohio State in a 63-38 loss three weeks ago, it was viewed as a major step backward.

No.21 Nebraska at Michigan State

3:30 P.M., EAST LANSING, MICH.

Favorite - Nebraska by 1

Records - Nebraska 6-2, 3-1 Big Ten Legends; Michigan State 5-4, 2-3

Last meeting - Nebraska won 24-3 last season in Lincoln, Neb. Nebraska leads series 6-0.

Bo Pelini was a free safety in his playing days and one of Ohio State's team captains as a senior in 1990. As a player and, now, a head coach, sound, physical defense has been his specialty.

So when Pelini's Cornhuskers surrendered 498 yards - 371 on the ground - to Ohio State in a 63-38 loss three weeks ago, it was viewed as a major step backward.

However, in the past two weeks, the defense has rebounded in a big way, starting with a 29-28 win at Northwestern on Oct.20 in which it held the Wildcats to 301 yards of offense, including a 5-of-20 conversion rate on third downs. Last Saturday, the Cornhuskers topped themselves by limiting Michigan to 188 yards.

Granted, Wolverines quarterback Denard Robinson left the game in the second quarter with an elbow injury. But before his exit, the Cornhuskers held him to 55 yards passing and 46 rushing.

Freshman backup Russell Bellomy fared even worse, completing just 3 of 16 pass attempts for 38 yards with three interceptions.

Top running back Fitzgerald Toussaint gained just 38 yards on 15 carries.

The 23-9 victory was convincing enough for Pelini to award his first-team defenders the program's famous "Blackshirts" this week. The black practice jerseys are awarded for great on-field effort.

Nebraska shares first place with Michigan atop the Big Ten Legends Division at 3-1, but the Huskers hold the tiebreaker with the head-to-head victory.

Today, the Cornhuskers face fifth-place Michigan State (2-3), a matchup that could prove to be another defensive battle.

The Spartans, breathing easier after last week's 19-16 overtime win over Wisconsin, have disappointed on offense, averaging only 19.6 points. But they rank in the top 20 in the country in seven defensive categories, including scoring defense (10th at 15 points per game).

Against Wisconsin, Michigan State gave up a mere 19 yards rushing and recorded a season-high 12 tackles for loss.